Tis This the Season for Engagement Rings?

We already know that engagement rings make the best holiday gifts, but it looks like a lot more people might find that out for themselves this year.

Customer Growth Partners, a company that specializes in retail forecasting and analysis, has predicted an increase in spending for the 2010 holiday season of 4.5 percent, up from last year’s increase of 1.9 percent.

The increase, according to CGP, is due to the fact that Americans with fulltime jobs are starting to spend again after 2 straight years of economic downturn. And the publication “USA Today” has reported that retailers will be hiring 30 percent more holiday help than last year. Taking everything into account, this looks to be the best year, spending wise, since 2005.

While all this talk of numbers and economic forecasting might not be too romantic, is has the potential to be. No season generates love and good will quite like the holiday season, with family around, a fire in the fire place, and stockings hung above, it is the perfect blend of anticipation, expectation, and the opportunity for surprise.

For those couples who are feeling the holiday love, the Classico 0356 engagement ring is the perfect stocking stuffer. Featuring a halo of Brilliant Round cut diamonds encircling a Round cut diamond center, and is available in platinum, gold, and palladium. And while it is small enough the fit into a Christmas stocking, it is guaranteed to be the biggest hit of the season.

And for those couples that have already exchanged wedding rings but are still looking for an extra special something to slip under the tree, eternity bands make a great gift for her no matter what point you’re at in your relationship.

The Eterna 0349W has Round cut diamonds encircling the entire band set with joint prongs, it is simple yet elegant, understated but says a lot. No matter if you have been together ten years, twenty years, or a lifetime, diamonds are never the wrong way to go for the holidays.

So while an increase in holiday spending doesn’t necessarily translate directly into engagement ring purchases, we can still cross our fingers and hope.